Spanning 4 generations from the lady who introduced me to her household and placed in the high traffic
most-loved area in the dining hall, I have heard conversations, differences and whispers on world affairs
to traditions to hand-me-down secret recipes. There are many tales to tell - for the benefit of her grand
children and great grands.

06 August 2010

Noël is Not Alone

His little stump of a tail was healing nicely. With the sudden loss, Noel walked funny with his stump and rump sticking up.

There was discharge from Noel's eyes again and were fast getting infected. EJ was not sure what was the cause. Could it be flu, the shock of snipping the tail without anaesthesia or even possible irritation from the fleas he had earlier?

Another bottle of antibiotic eyedrops was obtained from his vet. His vet reminded EJ that Noel's persistent eye infection could be an indication that he probably had complications.

A few days later, Noel's abdomen became slightly distended and several bulges started to develop. He had little appetite and took a turn for the worse. EJ phoned long distance to Noel's vet who was back at his hometown celebrating Chinese New Year. According to symptoms EJ described, he said Noel was probably stepped on and that he would schedule Noel for an x-ray as soon as his clinic opened.

With two festivals, one after the other (Chinese New Year on 29 & 30 January 2006; Awal Muharram on 31 January 2006) and including weekends, it was an almost a week-long public holiday that year.

In desperation, EJ took Noel to a 24-hour animal hospital but nothing much could be done.

EJ was stroking his head when Noel drew his last breath on the night of Awal Muharram. Wrapped in EJ's old T-shirt which Noel loved to sleep in, early next morning when the air was cool with the rising sun at an angle, EJ buried Noel in the corner of the playground next to EJ's mom's house where the pet cats and animals were buried.

No tears were shed for Noel.

EJ's tears were all shed dry some years before when walking barefoot through the slums in India witnessing and trying to feel their life, their hardships, their sufferings.

Instead what EJ had were scratchy eyes and a huge painful lump in the throat. The same would happen during Christmas seasons especially whenever the song Noel was sung or the music played.

EJ is consoled that Noel is now at a beautiful place called Rainbow Bridge with EJ's and siblings' pet cats and animals guiding and keeping Noel company.

That's right! Noël is Not Alone! And never will be again!

Born 25 December 2005 (Christmas)

Died 31 January 2006 (Awal Muharram)

(From Wikipedia: Awal Muharram, the Islamic New Year is a cultural event which Muslims observe on the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. Many Muslims use the day to remember the significance of this month, and the Hijra, or migration, Islamic prophet Muhammad made it to the city now known as Medina. For Shia Muslims, Muharram is a month of grief and sorrow because they mourn the death of Imam Hussain and his companions.)

14 comments:

We are so sorry for poor little Noel and for EJ; such a sad story...But we are very grateful baby Noel had EJ to care for him and he knew love and affection in his short life...We're certain EJ was the best thing in Noel's life and offered great comfort to that tiny sweetheart...Blessings to EJ for his kind heart...sending big hugs...J, Calle, Halle, Sukki

Oh beautiful and adorable Noel. What a brave kitty. My sadness is tempered by the knowledge that for the last weeks of his life he had you to care for him and to give him the love to erase the memories of his awful start in life.

I know he is happy now with all his friends over the Rainbow Bridge! Bless his little sweet brave heart!

Poor little Noel but we certainly owe EJ a huge thank you for trying so hard to help Noel with all the problems and for showing Noel all that love. And we know that little kitty is very happy running around in kitty heaven. We are very sad but know that Noel is in a good place.

Aw I am so sorry to see the sad ending. You and Noel each had such a profound influence on the other. You made his short life more bearable and he will forever be in your heart. Thanks for sharing this touching story.

About Me

Bought more than 40 years ago in the market by a compassionate lady, I have met and made friends with animals as well as human. Now I have parked myself with the lady's child, EJ, who lives with a cat - abandoned and handicapped.
email: mychairspeaks(at)gmail.com

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Tanya, 19, (1998 - 7 May 2016) had the same owner as Tommy. After an accident, many surgeries and care, her vet said Tanya belongs to EJ. Tanya's right hind leg became shorter than the rest.

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Pebble (joined the pack on 1 January 2006 - 24 January 2016), age unknown, had the same owner as Tanya and was abandoned when the owner shifted. EJ decided to take her in when someone took away her babies (one of them was Noel) and she went berserk. Pebble became totally blind and developed cerebellar hypoplasia.

Winnie, age unknown, had the same owner as Pebble and was abandoned when the owner shifted. EJ took her in when she hobbled on three legs bullied endlessly by stronger and bigger strays.

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Kenggy (joined the pack on 10 January 2007 - 10 June 2014), age unknown, was rescued by an acquaintance from the roadside after having just given birth. Her two front paws were already missing then. EJ took her in when it was found out that no one wanted her and will be put back in the streets. Kenggy had breast cancer and survived more than 1½ years after mastectomy.

Captain Jack Sparrow HAWK (joined the gang 25 Dec 2007 - 9 Dec 2017), age unknown, (smart guy knew where to go) placed himself in front of a pet shop who rescues strays and rehomes them. EJ took him in as chances of adopting one with a missing eye was slim at that time.

Cinders, 30 July 1994 – 28 July 2012. Sister to Cookie, given by EJ's then colleague, they came when they were three months old. Despite her age, Cinders still had her teeth. In her last two years of her life, she had kidney problem; one of her kidneys had shrivelled.

Tommy, 1998 – 9 May 2011. Thin and sick with feline flu, he came asking for help. After treatment, nursed to health and fattened, EJ approached his owner to officially adopt him. He had heart and kidney problems.

Tortie, 16 April 2001 – 17 October 2010. Handicapped-born son of Tanya, was sickly as he grew up but he grew to be the biggest and heaviest of the lot. He was taught how to walk and only allowed EJ to carry him. He had severe kidney plus mild heart problems and high cholesterol.

4-Head, 16 April 2001 – 1 December 2007. Brother to Tortie and son of Tanya, he camouflaged his illness so well that when discovered, his heart problem was at advanced stage and fluid had filled his lungs.

Noel, 25 December 2005 – 31 January 2006. Son of Pebble, was found a week after being born and lost. Though tried, he could not be saved as his vet suspected he was stepped on during that lost period.

Cookie, 30 July 1994 – 1999. Brother to Cinders, given by EJ's then colleague, they came when they were three months old. He provided lots of laughter due to his crossed-eyes. Keeled over one fine afternoon, it was suspected that he suffered a heart attack.